So much of what happens in our lives comes down to solid decision-making. And for many teenagers, especially those without a caring adult to guide them, one bad choice can alter everything -- from getting a good education to finding their dream job.

"Draw the Line/ Respect the Line," has been used successfully in Anderson middle schools for several years. The program promotes abstinence and helps middle school students learn about how to prevent HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

Through its partnering agency, the United Way of Anderson County, the Columbia-based South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy has been helping schools and other organizations train staffs to deliver the curriculum, which is offered to students in health and physical education classes.

In 2010, President Obama established the Office of Adolescent Health in the Division of Health and Human Services. But federal budget cuts now threaten programs offered by OAH in Anderson, Aiken and Orangeburg counties. If the cuts are approved, the grant used to fund the program could end after the upcoming school year. Originally, the program was to be funded through 2020.

The adage "If it's not broke, don't fix it," applies in this case. Why cut a program that is successfully helping to reduce the number of teen pregnancies? Any curriculum that teaches smart decision-making is invaluable in today's world, where teenagers and adults are bombarded with unhealthy behavior on television, on social media and in pop culture.

Since 2010, the number of teen births has declined 40 percent for 15- to 19-year-olds in Anderson County.

"Within health education, many of the skills that are taught, whether drug and alcohol or sex health, help them learn decision-making skills for good health," said Doug Taylor, chief program officer for the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

Students also learn how to set goals and make sound decisions around their interactions with peers. Said Taylor: "You’re setting that line and you are setting your own goals and saying to people, 'Hey this is the line I’ve set. I’m going to respect it and I need you to respect it.' "

A team of community leaders in Anderson County has worked to implement the grant, which totals about $7 million in South Carolina. A similar program, called Making Proud Choices For Out of Home Youth! is being used at New Foundations, an Anderson County group home. That program teaches self-respect and gives teenagers not living with their parents the information they need to make good choices for the rest of their lives.

In addition to sex education programs, the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy works with health centers to "help them create a system to provide quality reproductive health care," said Taylor. This includes screening for sexually transmitted diseases and access to contraceptives. Most of those services are provided to older teens, he said.

It's naive to think teenagers aren't having sex. The training and programs offered by the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, the United Way of Anderson County and other groups are helping teenagers understand that the choices they make now can have consequences for the rest of their lives.